At the start of 2025, Elon Musk, the libertarian billionaire and owner of the social network X, caused a real political earthquake in the United Kingdom. On Sunday, he publicly called for a change at the leadership of the British nationalist Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, a former herald of Brexit.
“The Reform party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t do the trick,” Elon Musk posted on X, thus marking a spectacular break with the man he had supported until now. Nigel Farage, elected MP since July and emblematic figure of the British anti-immigration movement, responded on the same platform: “Well, that’s a surprise! Elon is a remarkable person, but I’m afraid I disagree on this point. »
An unexpected turnaround
The announcement comes after Nigel Farage confirmed last December that he was in “open negotiations” with Elon Musk for financial support for his party. The two men met at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump’s residence in Florida, in the company of Nick Candy, new treasurer of Reform UK. Farage then said: “Musk leaves no doubt about his support. » However, relations between them quickly became strained, particularly around disagreements over support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Tommy Robinson, founder of the English Defense League and controversial figure on the British far right, was sentenced at the end of October to 18 months in prison for violating a court order. While Elon Musk called for his release, Nigel Farage distanced himself: “I continue to think that Tommy Robinson is not good for Reform and I will never renounce my principles. »
In the July 2024 general election, Reform UK won 14% of the vote and five seats in the House of Commons, marking a significant breakthrough in the British political landscape. This success largely contributed to the Conservatives’ worst ever defeat, paving the way for a Labor government led by Keir Starmer. However, to claim power in the next general election, the party will need to win at least 326 seats, an ambitious target.
Financial support under conditions
UK electoral laws require that all donations to political parties exceeding £500 must come from donors registered in the UK. Although originally from South Africa and based in the United States, Musk could circumvent these restrictions through the British branch of X. Elon Musk’s father, Errol, also recalled that his son was eligible for British citizenship, citing the origins of his grandmother.
This is not the first time that Elon Musk has intervened in the British political debate. Last summer, he called riots in the United Kingdom a harbinger of an “inevitable civil war,” drawing criticism from the Labor government. Recently he also called for Keir Starmer to resign, while expressing support for Reform UK’s ambitions.
Musk’s withdrawal of public support for Nigel Farage raises questions about the party’s future. Musk has already raised the idea of a successor to Farage as head of Reform UK, without naming any potential candidates. In a context where the Conservatives are seeking to rebuild themselves and Labor is consolidating their power, the evolution of this unexpected alliance between Musk and Reform UK will be one to watch closely.
